Impeachment on the table for some San Miguel residents
By Diana Ellsworth

A packed crowd of over 130 San Miguel residents filled the meeting room at the Posada de San Francisco on Monday, October 8 to discuss the implications of the bills pending in Congress for the impeachment of George W. Bush and Richard Cheney. The event was sponsored by the San Miguel chapter of Democrats Abroad and featured three presenters—Gretchen Sullivan, Democrats Abroad chair; Georgeann Johnson, chair of the event; and Cliff DuRand, chair of the Center for Global Justice.

Gretchen Sullivan presented the legal grounds for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney. She began her remarks with an enumeration of the impeachable offenses by saying, “First, the president and vice-president deceived Congress and the American people by taking the country to war in Iraq. Second, the president directed illegal domestic wiretapping and other surveillance of American citizens. He has not complied with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of 1978 by engaging in domestic surveillance without seeking a court order and he plans to continue this conduct. The third offense by both the president and vice-president is that they permitted and condoned the use of torture and cruel treatment of detainees. This is violation of both American law and the Geneva Convention which we ratified in 1955. The fourth impeachable offense is his reckless indifference to human life in three different situations. First, Hurricane Katrina, when he was personally informed of the threat to New Orleans, he did not take the necessary action to mobilize the federal resources that he alone is empowered to do. Second, he invaded Iraq without providing protective equipment for our fighting men and women, and third, he had no post-invasion plan. The fifth and most recent offense is that he has completely ignored the fact that there are three equal branches of the US government: the Congress, the courts and the executive branch. He has refused to allow members of his administration to testify before Congress. Even Nixon refused to go that far—Haldeman, Erlichman and Dean all testified.”

She concluded her remarks with a quote from Bruce Fein, Deputy Attorney General under President Reagan, “Bush has crippled checks and balances and protections against government abuse. If these claims and practices are not repudiated, they will lie around like loaded weapons, ready for use by any White House incumbent to intimidate rivals and to destroy the rule of law.”

Georgeann Johnson talked about the historic precedence for impeachment and activities taking place throughout the country. She said, “A million or two million people all over the country are involved in the impeachment movement. From Homer, Alaska to Atlanta, Georgia and all in between, groups are collecting petition signatures and paying visits to their congressional representatives. Vermont has voted impeachment and Oregon is about to do the same. Six state legislatures, including California, have voted to support impeachment and over one hundred cities and towns across the nation have voted to support impeachment.” She concluded her remarks by saying, “Impeachment can, directly or indirectly, be more effective than any other single action. Whether or not there is conviction in the Senate is not nearly as important as the fact that citizens shout out and rise up. The Bush presidency has been busy shredding the constitution while we have been busily ignoring what they have done. If they leave office without 

being impeached, the executive power excesses that they have unilaterally declared to be legal will stay as law for the next presidency. Senator Patrick Leahy, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee says that will leave us just one step away from martial law.”

Cliff DuRand addressed impeachment as the first step in the restoration of our constitutional rights.

Ken Rowland moderated the lengthy discussion by the attendees focusing on the views of San Miguel residents and actions that can be taken. Murray Kamelhar offered to lead an effort to organize a march on Washington demanding that the Congress begin hearings on the Articles of Impeachment.

Bruce Rossley, Vice-Chair of Democrats Abroad in San Miguel, circulated a petition strongly urging the House Judiciary Committee to immediately take up the question of Impeachment. The petition, addressed to the Speaker of the House, the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, reads, “We, the undersigned United States citizens, living full time or part time in Mexico, strongly urge our elected representatives to begin hearings before the Judiciary Committee regarding the Bills of Impeachment now pending in the US Congress against George W. Bush and Richard Cheney.” Rossley said that San Miguel residents who would like to circulate the petition may obtain additional copies by addressing a request to the SMA Democrats Abroad email address, smademocratsabroad@mexicomail.com. He said copies of the petition will be forwarded to other chapters of Democrats Abroad in Mexico.

A great deal of frustration with the lack of action by the Congress on the issue of impeachment was voiced by many members of the audience, but the meeting adjourned on a note of cautious optimism that our voices will finally be heard by our elected representatives.

San Miguel Democrats Abroad is the official arm of the Democratic Party in San Miguel. SMDA are chartered by the national organization Mexico Democrats Abroad, which in turn is chartered by the International Democrats Abroad, an official part of the Democratic National Committee in the United States. Democrats Abroad exists in over 100 countries worldwide and elects a delegation with full voting powers to the Democratic National Committee. For many years Democrats Abroad has sent a voting delegation to the Democratic National Convention.

Diana Ellsworth is a member of Democrats Abroad. She and her husband Pat are from northern California and she has served as the Democrats Abroad Events chair, but is now busy building a house here in San Miguel de Allende.

The story behind the new Tibetan flags in El Charco del Ingenio

By Larry Mills

The United Nations had declared October 2, “International Day of Non Violence.” Ceremonies took place simultaneously in Mexico City, Italy and other places around the world.

From India on October 2, Cesar Arias, director of El Charco del Ingenio, telephoned Alicia Mayo and heard in the background the concluding celebrations of San Miguel’s ceremony just as the same ceremony was being celebrated at the birthplace of Gandhi! What a moment. It was quite moving to actually connect by cell phone from San Miguel de Allende to India, with Cesar Arias representing San Miguel.

The celebration here included flying new Tibetan peace flags by the plaque commemorating El Charco del Ingenio as a Peace Zone by the Dalai Lama in 2004.

The meaning of the Tibetan flags was briefly explained. The traditional five colors represent the five elements—blue symbolizing sky/space, white symbolizing wind/air, red symbolizing fire, green symbolizing water, yellow symbolizing earth.

By placing these prayer flags outdoors, it gives the wind the opportunity to move them. The wind is considered an expression of our minds and the mental energy which activates them. When we see them, the flags rekindle our intention to pray for, and work for the welfare of sentient beings. Thus, the wind like the mind carries the blessings throughout the countryside, and across the world. One mantra on the flags says: “Every living being should have a fearless life, painless life, misery-less life, knowledgeable life, healthy life, successful life, achievement-oriented life and rich life.” The mantra speaks in favor for the all the lives in this world without exception. This includes sentient beings of all types including animals and insects life.

The sun, wind and rain will fade or wear the Prayer Flags out over time. This is normal and provides a subtle reminder that all things are impermanent or temporary. To some people in the western countries unfamiliar with the Prayer Flag tradition, they may at first seem a bit folksy, or humble looking. However, there is real power in activating the hearts and minds of people for blessing the world. 

So when you come to the El Charco del Ingenio and see the Tibetan Prayer Flags flying, perhaps you will be reminded of the blessing of life itself, and give thanks to those who have worked so hard to create and maintain El Charco del Ingenio.

Welcome to the Modern Pan Am

La Carrera Panamericana or the “Pan Am” is one of those rare opportunities to experience a legend. It is the last open, top-speed road race of its kind in the world. No one can predict how long it will survive in this modern age.

On October 26, eighty or more vintage race cars—each with a driver and co-driver—line up in Oaxaca to race nearly 2000 miles north toward the Texas border, finishing November 1 in Nuevo Laredo.

The Pan Am passes though the heart of the country, a string of mountains and colonial cities. The road is cleared by 20 Mexican highway patrol, who travel with the race. Along the way drivers are cheered to go faster by thousands of spectators. Drivers stay each night in a luxury hotel or party in some of the most famous and picturesque cities in the country—Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Oaxaca, Puebla, Morelia, Aguascalientes, Mexico City, Querétaro and Zacatecas. The high altitude keeps the weather cool and clear.

The seven days of full-speed racing over paved roads is a serious test of drivers and their vintage cars. Some are serious competitors; most are there for fun. For all, just finishing the race in Nuevo Laredo after seven days is a major accomplishment. The modern race is a revival of the famous international Pan Am conducted 1950-1954. Many of the world’s most famous drivers, including world champions like Phil Hill and Juan Manuel Fangio, came to Mexico during those years to test their cars, skill and stamina. 

The Mexican government started the race in 1950 to inform the world that Mexico had a new system of highways that stretched across the country, from north to south, for commerce and tourism. When the race was canceled in 1955, its purpose had been fulfilled.In 1988 a group of Mexican and North American auto enthusiasts revived the Pan Am. The event operates in a “pro-rally” format. Each car is given a route book with detailed instructions to follow for the entire seven days. Every turn along the entire route is listed, and each is rated by degree of difficulty.

Warnings are given about dangerous conditions, and even speed bumps and special attractions are noted. But a surprise can be lurking around each blind corner.Each day is divided into “transit” and “special” stages. The transit stages are run from town to town on regular highways, in regular traffic. But several times a day the Pan Am cars line up for the special stages or speed sections. After the Mexican highway patrol clears the road, the Pan Am cars are started in 30-second intervals. There are no speed limits—only open roads slicing through the mountains. Drivers travel as fast as skill, car and road conditions warrant. These special sections normally stretch from three to sixteen miles in length, mostly over good, paved mountain roads. The stages also may be run on a sports car track or freeway.

At the end of the week, the cars with the lowest elapsed times for the special stages are declared the winners—overall and by class. Time penalty points may be awarded for early or late arrivals to a speed section, or for an infraction of the rules.There are three unofficial levels of participation in the Pan Am for the same entry fee. First, a driver may participate at the “tourist” level. They buy an old car (1965-8 or older), add some required safety features, and come down to cruise the route, just to have fun. It’s the “no pressure” approach. Finishing this test of car and driver, even at this entry level, is a significant accomplishment. It is, of course, the best way to learn about the event.The second level requires investing more in a car and coming down to run it hard. A driver may not expect to finish first in class, but intends to extract the most from the car and driving skill. Even at this level, a podium finish is possible. Some participants move eventually to the third level: full competition.

At this level they may spend inordinate amounts on a thoroughly prepared vintage hot rod in an effort to finish first in class or high in the overall standings. The stress and expense involved in this approach to the Pan Am should be obvious.No one asks about level of participation, but the “tourists” seem to be smiling more often.Few drivers have won their class or finished high in the overall standing during their first year. They attend the event the first time expecting to learn about the problems of high altitude racing in vintage cars. They take the time to appreciate the magnitude of the overall experience. The learning curve can be as steep as the road up Mil Cumbres.The cars are subject to certain limitations and the approval of the organizers, since safety as well as speed is imperative.

There is no substitute for good, reliable brakes.The expenses vary greatly from entrant to entrant. Preparing a vintage car, traveling to Mexico and back, and the entry fee are the basic categories. Some make it on $10,000, while others spend a small fortune.The entry fee covers not only the expense of staging the race over 2000 miles, but includes one room for eight nights in first-class hotels, 
plus a number of receptions, fiestas and souvenirs. Advice and limited assistance with preparing a car, crossing the border and getting to the starting point are provided also. The Pan Am is a combination of serious racing and adventure. It is a true test of driving and mechanical skills, stamina and patience. Most importantly, perhaps, it is an opportunity to see a beautiful country and meet its gracious people. 

The hardest test, a half-century ago

This original article about the third race by James K. Lamona appeared in Auto Sport Review, March, 1953.

The 3114-kilometer Mexican road that stretches south to north from Tuxla to Juárez is, according to Alfred Neubauer, a combination of Tripoli’s Grand Prix, the Italian “Mille Miglia,” the German “Nürburgring” and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Herr Neubauer should know, for it was under his leadership as the competition director of Mercedes Benz German Teams that they defeated the most formidable English, Italian and French participants in Europe for the last 25 years.

Exactly what makes the Mexican race so tough? It is a combination of several things. The race begins in a tropical climate, where the temperature is high and humid, and continues along a road that goes from sea level to a gasping three thousand meters in altitude! Temperature variations go from 34 degrees Celsius to just above freezing, all in 72 hours.

Even the most careful motor tuning, carburetion tests and spark plug selection need alterations every 160 km approximately. Motors that ran miraculously at 1000 meters sounded almost dead at 3000, and drivers that refused to change to cooler spark plugs, soon realized after Durango the importance of this.

The Mexican race was tough on the drivers as well as the equipment. The road is paved with a mixture of volcanic ash and this highly abrasive substance will turn a perfectly new passenger car tire to a worn-out one in a thousand kilometers.

San miguelenses… start your engines!

Classic Car Show
La Carrera Panamericana
Sun, Oct 21, 11am–4pm
Benefits Feed the Hungry
El Jardín

For all those car enthusiasts in San Miguel, you can get your fix this weekend—between 30 and 40 classic cars and their drivers will be in the Jardín from 11am to 4pm. These daring drivers have stopped in San Miguel on their way to the start of La Carrera Panamericana, Mexico’s internationally renowned open road race, the last of its kind in the world. Meet the drivers, get their autographs, take pictures, bring the family for a fun day. The event is sponsored by Feed The Hungry, a local charity that raises money to feed hungry local children.

Remember Woodruff Werner Bryne

Woodruff Werner Bryne, 94, died October 9, 2007 at his home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

He was born in Atlanta, Ga. on December 11, 1912, attended Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, Boys High in Atlanta, Embry-Riddle Institute in Miami, Georgia State and graduated from Emory University with a Master’s degree in Romance Languages.

His careers included radio announcer, translator for the Bureau of Censorship, and during World War 11, he graduated from the Signal Corps to serve in the Counter Intelligence Corps on the staff of General Douglas MacArthur. After the war, he went to Venezuela with Gulf Oil Company, working first in Industrial Relations and then in Public Relations over a ten year period. Returning to the United States, he taught languages at Morris Brown College, Emory University and at the Communicable Disease Center in Atlanta.

In 1966, the Bryne Family moved to Sarasota, Florida where he joined the faculty of the very new, New College and taught there for seven years.

In retirement he volunteered as a tour guide at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for over twenty years and as an interpreter at Public Health Clinics.

Eight years ago, Woody and Siobhan moved to Mexico on a part-time basis. Woody was a volunteer proofreader for Atención and enjoyed participating in Playreaders and the Shakespeare Readers.

Woody was an avid botanist, sailor, wordsmith linguist, theater-lover, actor and world traveler.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-eight years, Siobhan [Joan], daughters: Catherine and Joanna, sons: Richard and Stephen, daughters-in-law: Sharon and Wendy, son-in-law: Marc Taylor and grandchildren: Alexander, Anna, Trevor and Calvin.

There will be a memorial reunion for family and friends in San Miguel and another in Sarasota at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota or to Charco del Ingenio, Jardin Botanico, San Miguel de Allende.

Special Day of the Dead event for Mujeres en Cambio
By Roger Hind

Mujeres en Cambio afternoon tea Talk on the traditions of Day of the Dead Thurs, Nov 1, 3–5pm Casa de la Cuesta Cuesta de San José #32 Advance tickets 120 pesos

Mujeres en Cambio invites you to visit Casa de la Cuesta and help raise funds for our scholarship program. This month we are departing from our luncheon format to take advantage of a generous invitation from Heidi and Bill Le Vasseur. Each year Heidi transforms Casa de la Cuesta B&B and art gallery with altars for the Day of the Dead Celebration. 

Heidi will give a talk on the altars and the traditions of the Day of the Dead and Bill will introduce some of the masks used for the ceremonies. Many items from the Le Vasseurs’ collection of indigenous art work will be available for sale. Guests also may visit the Le Vasseurs’ new display space, the Mask Museum.

Jacobo Mendoza will be displaying his amazing Oaxacan rugs once again. Jacobo is a tejedor or master weaver, the youngest member of the renowned Mendoza family from Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca. Using patterns passed down through generations, he weaves his rugs from fine, tightly spun wool, dyed with natural colors. Jacobo will take orders for rugs, large or small.

An afternoon tea will be prepared by Mujeres en Cambio core members, with cakes, snacks, cookies and squares. Tea will be served as well as Jamaican coffee.

Enjoy great company (men and women both welcome!) and beautiful surroundings and learn more about the Day of the Dead and our scholarship program. For more information about the wonderful venue for this event, go to www.casadelacuesta.com

A primary objective of Mujeres en Cambio is to help young Mexican rural women to gain an education and thus to foster their self-sufficiency, self-esteem and self-respect. The group also encourages rural women to build businesses as a path to financial independence.

Mujeres en Cambio provides scholarships to more than 150 girls from the ranchos around San Miguel. Scholarships are offered to promising young women recommended by their school principal. Continued receipt of a scholarship is dependent upon maintaining good grades.

Attendance at our functions is by pre-purchased ticket and they sell out early. Tickets are 120 pesos and are on sale now at Casa de Papel, Mesones 57-A (interior of China Palace building).

The last two lunches of 2007 will be held at Hacienda de las Flores—Lebanese on November 15 and traditional holiday fare on December 13.

For more information about these events or about Mujeres en Cambio, visit our website, www.mujeresencambio.com or contact Roger Hind at 154-6552 (no phone reservations). Our group is run by volunteers and we always have plenty of work to share so we welcome new members—come join us!